5 steps to API frustration
Bruno Pedro
25+ years professional experience, founder of several API companies, published author and speaker at API conferences.
This article is a satire that describes what often happens to developers that are looking for an API and want to integrate with it. I’m pretty sure that some of the things have happened to you at some point in time. If you’re an API provider, you should think hard about how you’re dealing with the five topics that I’m about to expose.
1. Search
It all starts with search. You want to find an API that can offer you a particular feature. You also want to be able to integrate your software with it quickly. You don’t have time to implement things yourself, and that’s the main reason why you’re looking for an API that does the job for you. Most of the times you look around, but you can’t find anything that suits your needs.
Then you reach out and ask for advice. You receive suggestions from your peers. People that have problems similar to yours will tell you their stories and how they solved their problem with a certain API. You ask yourself “Why not?” and you think about giving it a try. After all, the worst that can happen is you not liking it and getting back to doing your search. Right?
2. Signup
Read about this and the other 3 steps on the original article.